LaValle Urges Education Leaders to Open Dialogue About Remediation

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R,C,I – Port Jefferson), chairman of the New York State Senate’s Higher Education Committee, said today that he is urging the heads of The New York City School System, SUNY, CUNY, The Board of Regents and Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities to open a public dialogue about remediation and students who come to college lacking the academic skills they need to survive in higher education.

LaValle said the problem of remediation is widespread in the State and that remedial courses are expensive. LaValle said that if the heads of the organizations don’t come together to open the discussion, he will call the meeting.

“SUNY spends more than $70 million a year to offer re­me­dial cours­es in ar­eas students should have mas­tered in high school,” LaValle said, “We spend more on remediation than SUNY's eight agri­cul­ture and technology schools receive in state funding each year. And students don't get academic credit for remedial coursework, which can lengthen the time it takes for them to earn a degree and start a career. “

LaValle said a public meeting should be held in mid to late February to open the dialogue about remediation and possible solutions to the problem.